The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers formal admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program and participates in the Medical Scientist Training Program (see the Medical Scientist Training Program section of the catalog for more information). The department carries out basic research in the areas of immunology, virology, and microbial molecular biology. Research leading to a graduate degree is available in the general areas of molecular, cellular, and tumor immunology; molecular biology and genetics of procaryotes; and molecular biology of viruses.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. Applicants must have a solid background in biological and inorganic and organic chemistry, and at least one year of physics and mathematics.

Other Requirements At least 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study. Preference is given to those applicants who have a GPA greater than 3.00.

Tests Required GRE General. This test should be taken prior to submission of the formal application. Preference is given to applicants with a combined verbal and quantitative score above 1200, and analytical writing above 4.0.

Other Requirements Preference is given to applicants with a documented record of research accomplishment who intend to complete the doctoral program.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum
requirements, students must meet the following
program requirements:

Master of Science

Minimum Semester Hours Required 34.

Course Work Required Courses: All students must take or show proficiency in three of four courses from GCLS 500, 501, 502, 503. They must also take or show proficiency in GCLS 504, 505, 510, and 511.

Comprehensive Examination None.

Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only OptionsThesis: Required. No other options are available. Students must register in MIM 598 for 9 semester hours.

Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate.

Course Work Required Courses: Nine hours of MIM 455. All students must take or show proficiency in three of four courses from GCLS 500, 501, 502, 503. They must also take or show proficiency in GCLS 504, 505, 506, 510, and 511. In addition students must take MIM 594 for 1 hour, and 2 additional 500-level courses, MIM 551, MIM 553, and MIM 560 are recommended. Four additional hours of MIM 595 and 52 semester hours of MIM 599 are required.

Preliminary Examination Required.

Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 52 hours in MIM 599.

Other Requirements During the second year of graduate study, students must conduct a satisfactory oral defense of a written research proposal on their thesis subject. All graduate students, regardless of their means of financial support, must participate in the teaching programs of the department for one semester of each academic year. This requirement includes experiences in laboratory instruction, lecturing, and audiovisual presentations.

Medical Scientist Training Program

Students with an MD degree earned in the United States or who are working toward one at UIC may use medical science courses to fulfill the 500-level course requirements. Such students must take 3 semester hours of MIM 455; one credit of MIM 594; 6 semester hours of MIM 595; and 59 semester hours of MIM 599. Other courses required will be determined by the graduate committee based on the student’s area of interest.